Four Leaf Clover

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My daughter found a four leaf clover yesterday, and I got the email I have been waiting for from my publisher. Windward Publishing is taking on "Through Desert Eyes."

I ran out into my cul-du-sac to hug my kids and tell them my news. I'm not sure they get the significance, but they humored me with hugs.

So, my next step is to finish up my sketches and send them along to Windward. Once we make sure the text and images work together, then I'll jump into the paintings.

I think what is different between this next book and my first is that I'm really letting the power of the words inspire my art. My first book was a combination: sometimes it was the painting that inspired the words; sometimes it was the words and the art followed.

My technique and process changed a lot through the course of my first book. My dots got smaller, I included more detail, and I got better at really seeing the animal I was painting. I am so excited to see how my artwork changes for this next process.

I am so excited to work with Windward Publishing again! It is a glorious time to have a focused project.

Leupp School in N. Arizona

I had the opportunity this past Monday to spend the day at the Leupp School, right outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. Tammy Kelly, a fabulous teacher offered me this opportunity and I am so appreciative.

The Leupp School is a boarding school on one of the Navajo Reservations. There are 60 resident kids at the school during the week and return home for the weekends. The school is K-12 and totals around 220 students.

I spent the morning doing almost four hours of reading and book activities. My first class was 7th grade, followed by: 1 st, 4th and then 2nd graders. I have become better at assessing a classes interest level. I change my instruction and detail based on age and time.

Each grade had their own series of questions and comments that always make me smile.

The 7th grade class was very interesting. They took a while to warm up to me, but by the end, and after a few laughs, they came up with a ton of questions.


The 1st grade class had the winning question though. I usually remind K and 1st graders what constitutes a question, otherwise I get lots of stories about their bunnies, when their dog died, or where they last went on vacation. So, I got a lot of 'how' questions from this crew. One little boy raised his hand and when I called on him he froze. He said, "How, how, how (pause) are you doing?" It was the cutest question and left me and Tammy with huge smiles.


In the afternoon, I had the opportunity to work with the kids on dot-art projects. Wow, there is a lot of talent in that school.

Take a look at some of these photos. The one with the spider is the little guy that asked me how I was.
I returned the question to him and he giggled! Spending time with kids really makes me feel blessed that I am published. I wouldn't have had this opportunity if it hadn't been for Through Endangered Eyes. I hope that the kids will remember me and that I'll be able to visit again next year.

Thank you Tammy!

First 500 words of Peridot Cage

I thought it might be fun to post the first 500 words of my Young Adult Contemporary/Fantasy novel that I'm am re-writing. I am having it critiqued this April for a conference, so I thought it might be fun to post this now and then post it again after I get it critiqued.


Peridot Cage
by Rachel Allen Dillon

"Do you think the birds will mind if I take one of their feathers?” Renna asked her best friend, Sean. She didn’t wait for his answer and sprinted towards the flock. She stopped in the middle of hundreds of small birds as they raced into the air to avoid her touch. Renna closed her eyes to listen to the gentle flapping; rejoicing in the birds’ freedom.

She bent down and picked up a single feather and brushed it against her cheek.

“You’re weird, you know that mate?” Sean said with a thick English accent. He laughed as she joined him under a huge African acacia tree.

“It took you two years to realize I’m weird?” Renna shoved him. “You know, of all the countries I’ve lived in, I love Kenya the most.” She said. “There are so many amazing things here. I’ve got a million images to paint. I think my dad even likes it. He was just saying--”

“Shhh. Did you hear that?” Sean turned towards an area of high golden grass and thorny bushes.

“Hear what?” Renna paused and rolled her eyes. “Don’t get all paranoid on me again. Remember the time you thought a giraffe was tracking us? Ha-- that was a good one.”

“It was a huge snap. You really didn’t hear anything?” He dragged his fingers through his light brown hair and looked at her with concern. “What if it’s a lion or something?”

“You’ve been reading way too many scary books about Africa. Are you really fourteen or two?” She reached out and pinched him. He pulled his arm back and glared at her.

Recognizing he was really afraid, Renna consoled him, “The night watchman said they haven’t seen lions near the village for a long time.”

“Yeah? Okay. We should head back anyway, you know how pissed off my mum gets when we take too long of a break.” Sean glanced back towards the wall of grass as they headed to his house in the village.

“You’d think your mom was running a real school or something. Gheesh, it’s just you and me, and it’s not like we’ve been late that often.” She kicked the dirt. “She can be so strict.”

“Try living with her,” Sean said. He smiled.

Renna shaded her eyes and squinted at Sean’s handsome face. He had to be at least a foot taller than she was. Sweat dripped down his forehead as the noon sun beat down on them. Renna was almost thirteen, old enough to like a boy, but smart enough to hide it. He was her first best friend and she didn’t want to ruin things by liking him. She had no idea how long it would be until she and her dad moved again, so she tried not to get too attached.

A loud crunch stopped them in their tracks.

Sean put his arm protectively across Renna. They were silent as they listened and watched the grass rustle. A moment later, a small antelope leaped out from behind the brush. Renna and Sean jumped back. The animal quickly changed directions to avoid hitting them.

Sean exhaled loudly.

Third Graders!

I read to about 130 third graders last week at Sandra de Gallardo Elementary in Folsom, CA (truly the greatest perk of being published). They were absolutely precious! I have to say, third grade is my favorite to share my book with. They have great questions, and really comprehend the poetry.

I thought it was hilarious that when I asked for 10 volunteers to stand next to each other, shoulder to shoulder, to demonstrate the length of a Mekong giant catfish, and they wouldn't touch each other. It was especially obvious between the boys and the girls. Now, kindergarten and first graders practically jump to be shoved up against their fellow classmates, too funny how just a couple of grades later their hormones are already kicking in. Ewww boys, ewww girls.

Some of the questions I received were wonderful: What came first, the art or the poems?; Which animal is most endangered in your book?; Which is the least endangered in your book? How long did it take to write the book?

My favorite question (stumper, surprise) of all... If you see yourself as any animal in your book, what would it be? Hmmmm. At first I said the tiger, and then I really thought about it. I concluded I was most like the snow leopard.

As it Should Be

I am listening to Eckhart Tolle's, A New Earth right now. I admit that reading books like that put me to sleep, but listening, ahhh now that's the way I learn. Anyway, Tolle is fascinating. Many times he mentions how recognizing the now, not dwelling on the past or anticipating the future is the most peaceful way to walk through life. Wonderful philosophy, but tough to live by. Every time I feel like things should be happening more quickly with my book, or my artwork, I now force myself to think about how things are flowing as they should and I should enjoy the ride.

My book offers me random beautiful moments. Last week, a high school student emailed me from Rhode Island. I have never met her, nor have I met anyone in her family or circle. Yet, she wanted to let me know that she liked my book and was using it for her senior project - if that was okay by me. She is a reminder of why I wrote my book in the first place, I want it to mean something to people. I light up with passion when I talk about helping endangered species and my book does that too. The louder the voice the more people will listen.

My next book, which I hope my publisher likes, is only about Desert endangered species. It has been so fascinating to study a single ecosystem. It seems logical that desert species have a lot in common, but it still surprised me when reptiles, mammals and birds that are so different have so much alike. They have all evolved and adapted to survive such arid and harsh extremes, they are truly amazing. Splitting my books into ecosystems will help to demonstrate the importance of leaving a specific environment intact, and how making slight alterations to a chain, disrupts the balance of everything.

Okay, that was my pitch, but it sums it up.

I started a red eyed tree frog painting. I LOVE IT! I have missed painting more than I realized. I love to paint as much as I love to write. Pretty cool that I get the opportunity during this stage in my life to do what I love. Persistence pays off, if it is meant to, that is.

Valentine's Day

Last week I visited Sac Splash, whose mission is to help children understand and value their natural world through scientific investigation and outdoor exploration. Great mission. I spent a couple hours with Eva Butler, the director, and several of her staff members. They greeted me so warmly, I found myself blushing. Eva is a woman with passion for the environment and teaching children to love and care about it. I am so excited to have made her acquaintance.

David, a photographer/scientist and Eva took me and another artist for a walk near the vernal pools of Mather Park. It felt so great to be out walking on something other than a side-walk. The pools, which will practically dry up at the warmest part of the year, are teaming with life. I really enjoyed connecting with nature, even if it was for a short amount of time. I'll take some pictures the next time I am out there and post them on my blog.

I used to walk for almost a half-hour in a valley of Wisconsin, to find my horse. He would be grazing with a herd in the base of the field. It was so beautiful. I would sing and follow a dirt path beat by hooves and then try to catch my sassy quarter horse, since of course he didn't want to leave his paradise to go to the barn. Once I caught him though, I'd jump on his bare back and gallop up to the top of the valley.

Spending just a few minutes walking in a field, brought back memories.

On a side note, I submitted my manuscript last week to my publisher at Finney Company. It has motivated my butt to get back to drawing, so I can paint more inspired images.

Through Desert Eyes

After months of writing, tweaking, research, even moving into a new house, I am finally ready to send out my "Through Desert Eyes," manuscript. Hooray!

I am only sending it to my publisher, Windward Publishing an imprint of Finney Company. I will be so excited if they want to take this project. I have been doing so much with "Through Endangered Eyes," that I can't wait to get another book out there to share with kids.

I am planning a trip to Arizona where I can photograph so many of the species I have chosen for my book. Being endangered, most of the species are hard to locate in the wild, so I'll have to depend on the Phoenix Zoo. My photographs will help my process in sketching out the images for the book. I learned the hard way with the first book that images need to harmonize with the words. I did many of the paintings first and then the poetry, two separate elements of art, not always relating to each other. This time, I am tightening the poetry and letting the words inspire the images.

I am still working on "Peridot Cage," mostly on the re-write, synopsis and 1.5 minute pitch.